Pepper hybrid ps09979325

ABSTRACT

The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid PS09979325 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid PS09979325 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and, morespecifically, to the development of pepper hybrid PS09979325 and theinbred pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of vegetable breeding is to combine various desirable traits ina single variety/hybrid. Such desirable traits may include any traitdeemed beneficial by a grower and/or consumer, including greater yield,resistance to insects or disease, tolerance to environmental stress, andnutritional value.

Breeding techniques take advantage of a plant's method of pollination.There are two general methods of pollination: a plant self-pollinates ifpollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower ofthe same plant or plant variety. A plant cross-pollinates if pollencomes to it from a flower of a different plant variety.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type over manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny, a homozygous plant. A crossbetween two such homozygous plants of different genotypes produces auniform population of hybrid plants that are heterozygous for many geneloci. Conversely, a cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number ofloci produces a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically andare not uniform. The resulting non-uniformity makes performanceunpredictable.

The development of uniform varieties requires the development ofhomozygous inbred plants, the crossing of these inbred plants, and theevaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection areexamples of breeding methods that have been used to develop inbredplants from breeding populations. Those breeding methods combine thegenetic backgrounds from two or more plants or various other broad-basedsources into breeding pools from which new lines and hybrids derivedtherefrom are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes.The new lines and hybrids are evaluated to determine which of those havecommercial potential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a pepper plant of thehybrid designated PS09979325, the pepper line SBR 99-1318 or pepper lineSBR 99-1319. Also provided are pepper plants having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of such a plant. Partsof these pepper plants are also provided, for example, including pollen,an ovule, scion, a rootstock, a fruit, and a cell of the plant.

In another aspect of the invention, a plant of pepper hybrid PS09979325and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319 comprising an addedheritable trait is provided. The heritable trait may comprise a geneticlocus that is, for example, a dominant or recessive allele. In oneembodiment of the invention, a plant of pepper hybrid PS09979325 and/orpepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319 is defined as comprising asingle locus conversion. In specific embodiments of the invention, anadded genetic locus confers one or more traits such as, for example,herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, disease resistance, and modifiedcarbohydrate metabolism. In further embodiments, the trait may beconferred by a naturally occurring gene introduced into the genome of aline by backcrossing, a natural or induced mutation, or a transgeneintroduced through genetic transformation techniques into the plant or aprogenitor of any previous generation thereof. When introduced throughtransformation, a genetic locus may comprise one or more genesintegrated at a single chromosomal location.

The invention also concerns the seed of pepper hybrid PS09979325 and/orpepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319. The pepper seed of theinvention may be provided as an essentially homogeneous population ofpepper seed of pepper hybrid PS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318and SBR 99-1319. Essentially homogeneous populations of seed aregenerally free from substantial numbers of other seed. Therefore, seedof hybrid PS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319 maybe defined as forming at least about 97% of the total seed, including atleast about 98%, 99% or more of the seed. The seed population may beseparately grown to provide an essentially homogeneous population ofpepper plants designated PS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318 andSBR 99-1319.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a tissue culture of regenerablecells of a pepper plant of hybrid PS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR99-1318 and SBR 99-1319 is provided. The tissue culture will preferablybe capable of regenerating pepper plants capable of expressing all ofthe physiological and morphological characteristics of the startingplant, and of regenerating plants having substantially the same genotypeas the starting plant. Examples of some of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the hybrid PS09979325 and/or pepperlines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319 include those traits set forth in thetables herein. The regenerable cells in such tissue cultures may bederived, for example, from embryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen,leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistils, flowers, seed and stalks.Still further, the present invention provides pepper plants regeneratedfrom a tissue culture of the invention, the plants having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of hybrid PS09979325and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, processes are provided forproducing pepper seeds, plants and fruit, which processes generallycomprise crossing a first parent pepper plant with a second parentpepper plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parent pepperplants is a plant of pepper line SBR 99-1318 or pepper line SBR 99-1319.These processes may be further exemplified as processes for preparinghybrid pepper seed or plants, wherein a first pepper plant is crossedwith a second pepper plant of a different, distinct genotype to providea hybrid that has, as one of its parents, a plant of pepper line SBR99-1318 or pepper line SBR 99-1319. In these processes, crossing willresult in the production of seed. The seed production occurs regardlessof whether the seed is collected or not.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first step in “crossing”comprises planting seeds of a first and second parent pepper plant,often in proximity so that pollination will occur for example, mediatedby insect vectors. Alternatively, pollen can be transferred manually.Where the plant is self-pollinated, pollination may occur without theneed for direct human intervention other than plant cultivation.

A second step may comprise cultivating or growing the seeds of first andsecond parent pepper plants into plants that bear flowers. A third stepmay comprise preventing self-pollination of the plants, such as byemasculating the flowers (i.e., killing or removing the pollen).

A fourth step for a hybrid cross may comprise cross-pollination betweenthe first and second parent pepper plants. Yet another step comprisesharvesting the seeds from at least one of the parent pepper plants. Theharvested seed can be grown to produce a pepper plant or hybrid pepperplant.

The present invention also provides the pepper seeds and plants producedby a process that comprises crossing a first parent pepper plant with asecond parent pepper plant, wherein at least one of the first or secondparent pepper plants is a plant of pepper hybrid PS09979325 and/orpepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319. In one embodiment of theinvention, pepper seed and plants produced by the process are firstgeneration (F₁) hybrid pepper seed and plants produced by crossing aplant in accordance with the invention with another, distinct plant. Thepresent invention further contemplates plant parts of such an F₁ hybridpepper plant, and methods of use thereof. Therefore, certain exemplaryembodiments of the invention provide an F₁ hybrid pepper plant and seedthereof.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofproducing a plant derived from hybrid PS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR99-1318 and SBR 99-1319, the method comprising the steps of: (a)preparing a progeny plant derived from hybrid PS09979325 and/or pepperlines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319, wherein said preparing comprisescrossing a plant of the hybrid PS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR99-1318 and SBR 99-1319 with a second plant; and (b) crossing theprogeny plant with itself or a second plant to produce a seed of aprogeny plant of a subsequent generation. In further embodiments, themethod may additionally comprise: (c) growing a progeny plant of asubsequent generation from said seed of a progeny plant of a subsequentgeneration and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generationwith itself or a second plant; and repeating the steps for an additional3-10 generations to produce a plant derived from hybrid PS09979325and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319. The plant derived fromhybrid PS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319 may bean inbred line, and the aforementioned repeated crossing steps may bedefined as comprising sufficient inbreeding to produce the inbred line.In the method, it may be desirable to select particular plants resultingfrom step (c) for continued crossing according to steps (b) and (c). Byselecting plants having one or more desirable traits, a plant derivedfrom hybrid PS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319is obtained which possesses some of the desirable traits of theline/hybrid as well as potentially other selected traits.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method ofproducing food or feed comprising: (a) obtaining a plant of pepperhybrid PS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319,wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity, and (b) collecting atleast one pepper from the plant.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, the genetic complement ofpepper hybrid PS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319is provided. The phrase “genetic complement” is used to refer to theaggregate of nucleotide sequences, the expression of which sequencesdefines the phenotype of, in the present case, a pepper plant, or a cellor tissue of that plant. A genetic complement thus represents thegenetic makeup of a cell, tissue or plant, and a hybrid geneticcomplement represents the genetic make up of a hybrid cell, tissue orplant. The invention thus provides pepper plant cells that have agenetic complement in accordance with the pepper plant cells disclosedherein, and seeds and plants containing such cells.

Plant genetic complements may be assessed by genetic marker profiles,and by the expression of phenotypic traits that are characteristic ofthe expression of the genetic complement, e.g., isozyme typing profiles.It is understood that hybrid PS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318and SBR 99-1319 could be identified by any of the many well knowntechniques such as, for example, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms(SSLPs) (Williams et al., 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs(RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence CharacterizedAmplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction(AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858,specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), andSingle Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., 1998).

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides hybridgenetic complements, as represented by pepper plant cells, tissues,plants, and seeds, formed by the combination of a haploid geneticcomplement of a pepper plant of the invention with a haploid geneticcomplement of a second pepper plant, preferably, another, distinctpepper plant. In another aspect, the present invention provides a pepperplant regenerated from a tissue culture that comprises a hybrid geneticcomplement of this invention.

Any embodiment discussed herein with respect to one aspect of theinvention applies to other aspects of the invention as well, unlessspecifically noted.

The term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the standarddeviation of the mean for the device or method being employed todetermine the value. The use of the term “or” in the claims is used tomean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives onlyor the alternatives are mutually exclusive. When used in conjunctionwith the word “comprising” or other open language in the claims, thewords “a” and “an” denote “one or more,” unless specifically notedotherwise. The terms “comprise,” “have” and “include” are open-endedlinking verbs. Any forms or tenses of one or more of these verbs, suchas “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes” and“including,” are also open-ended. For example, any method that“comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more steps is not limited topossessing only those one or more steps and also covers other unlistedsteps. Similarly, any plant that “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one ormore traits is not limited to possessing only those one or more traitsand covers other unlisted traits.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and any specificexamples provided, while indicating specific embodiments of theinvention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to plants,seeds and derivatives of pepper hybrid PS09979325, pepper line SBR99-1318 and pepper line SBR 99-1319.

Pepper hybrid PS09979325 is a sweet bell pepper hybrid. The hybriddevelops a medium-sized plant that produces a heavy set of large toextra large fruit. The firm fruit mature from a very dark green to redbell pepper and often weigh from 200 to 300 grams. Fruit dimensions areoften 11 cm wide by 10 cm long. The typical blocky bell shape fruitappears smooth. Although hybrid PS09979325 is not anthocyanless, itappears resistant to the formation of anthocyanins which produce apurpling of the immature fruit. A very small amount of purpling canoccasionally be observed. Hybrid PS09979325 appears resistant to Races 0through 10 Bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria;“Xcv”) and to Tobamovirus (P0). The hybrid is intended for open fieldproduction.

The hybrid PS09979325 is produced by the cross of parent lines SBR99-1318 and SBR 99-1319. The parent lines show uniformity and stabilitywithin the limits of environmental influence. By crossing the parentlines, uniform seed of hybrid PS09979325 can be obtained.

A. Origin and Breeding History of Pepper Hybrid PS09979325

The parents of hybrid PS09979325 are SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319. Theseparents were created as follows:

SBR 99-1318 was developed by pedigree selection from Seminis hybrid SVR9931012. This hybrid resulted from the cross between female“SBR-99-1209” and male “03LB 01196-03”.

The female parent, SBR-99-1209, develops a medium to large plant withlight to medium leaf curl. It produces a moderate set of rather deep,dark green, firm red fruit. SBR-99-1209 is resistant to Tm0, resistantto Xcv races 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 (Bs₂ gene), and resistant to theTobacco etch virus pathotype P₀ (pvr2-2 gene) [TEV]. The male parent,03LB 01196-03, segregates for the anthocyaninless trait and resistanceto Xcv races 0 through 10. It develops a large plant that sets blocky tosomewhat flat (LD<1) dark-green to red fruit.

The breeding history of line SBR 99-1318 can be summarized as follows.

-   January, Year 1: The F₁ hybrid SVR 9931012 was made from the parents    SBR-99-1209 and 03LB 01196-03.-   January, Year 2: Plants of the F₁ hybrid SVR 9931012 were    transplanted into a hybrid trial as stake 04LB 05005 and allowed to    self. Seed from the selfed plants were massed.-   July, Year 2: Planted the F₂ inbred line 04LB 05005-M as stake    04LB 05117. The line produced dark green, smooth, moderately firm,    red fruit. Individual plants resistant to races 0 through 10 Xcv    were selected and allowed to self. Seed was collected from the    individual plants.-   July, Year 3: Planted the F₃ inbred line 04LB 05117-01 as stake    05LB 06105. The line produced firm red fruit. Individual plants    resistant to races 0 through 10 Xcv were selected and allowed to    self. Seed was collected from the individual plants.-   January, Year 4: Planted the F₄ inbred line 05LB 06105-02 as stake    06LB 02831. The line produced a heavy set of moderately sized, good    quality fruit. Individual plants resistant to races 0 through 10 Xcv    were selected and allowed to self. Seed was collected from the    individual plants.-   July, Year 4: Planted the F₅ inbred line 06LB 02831-05 as stake    06LB 04974. The line developed a medium-sized plant that produced a    heavy set of somewhat small, glossy, dark green, firm but rather    “dumpy” shaped fruit. Individual plants resistant to races 0 through    10 Xcv were selected and allowed to self. Seed was collected from    the individual plants.-   January, Year 5: Planted the F₆ inbred line 06LB 04974-02 as stake    07LB 00570. The line produced a heavy set of rather small but nicely    shaped dark green fruit. Individual plants resistant to races 0    through 10 Xcv were selected and allowed to self. Seed was collected    from the individual plants.-   July, Year 5: Planted the F₇ inbred line 07LB 00570-01 as stake    07LB 05338. The line developed a small plant with good heat setting    abilities that produced a heavy set of smooth, dark green maturing    to red, smooth, deep fruit (LD=1.25). The line is resistant to races    0 through 10 Xcv. The line was allowed to self and bulked as 07LB    05338-M.-   July, Year 6: The seed of 07LB 05338-M tested resistant to TMV    pathotype P0 and races 0 through 10 Xcv. The bulked seed was renamed    as line SBR 99-1318.

SBR 99-1318 develops a medium-sized plant that produces a heavy set ofsmooth, firm, deep (length:diameter (LD)>1), dark green, medium-sizedfruit. The fruit mature to a red fruit with a consistent shape and set.The line is resistant to Tobacco mosaic virus pathotype P₀ (Tm0; L₁gene). It is also resistant to bacterial leaf spot races 0 through 10caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv; bs₅ gene). SBR99-1318 differs from SBR-99-1209 because it is susceptible to TEV whileSBR-99-1209 is resistant. SBR 99-1318 differs from 03LB 01196-03 becauseit is resistant to Tm0 and is fixed as resistant to races 0 through 10Xcv while 03LB 01196-03 is segregating for resistance to Xcv races 0through 10 and is susceptible to Tm0.

SBR 99-1319 was developed by pedigree selection from Seminis hybrid SVR9931039. This hybrid resulted from the cross between female “03LB00372-01” and male “03LB 01007-01”.

The female parent, “03LB 00372-01”, develops a medium-sized plant thatproduces an adequate set of large, slightly ribby but blocky, dark greenmaturing to red fruit. 03LB 00372-01 is resistant to Tm0 (L₁ gene), Xcvraces 0 through 10, Phytopthora capsici (Pc) and segregates forresistance to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). The male parent, “03LB01007-01”, is an anthocyaninless line that sets large fruit thatsegregate for red and yellow fruit and resistance to TSWV. 03LB 01007-01is resistant to Xcv races 0 through 10 and Pc.

The breeding history of SBR 99-1319 can be summarized as follows.

-   January, Year 1: The F₁ hybrid SVR 9931039 was made from the parents    03LB 00372-01 and 03LB 01007-01.-   January, Year 2: Plants of the F₁ hybrid SVR 9931039 were    transplanted into a hybrid trial as stake 04LB 05027 and allowed to    self. Seed from the selfed plants were massed.-   July, Year 2: Planted the F₂ inbred line 04LB 05027-M as stake    04LB 05124. The line produced a good set of semi-soft fruit on a    medium-large plant. Individual plants, resistant to races 1 through    10 Xcv, were selected and allowed to self. Seed was collected from    the individual plants.-   January, Year 3: Planted the F₃ inbred line 04LB 05124-01 as stake    05LB 00193. The line produced a heavy set of dark green fruit and    was segregating for resistance to the TSWV. Individual plants    resistant to races 1 through 10 Xcv were selected and allowed to    self. Seed was collected from the individual plants.-   July, Year 3: Planted the F₄ inbred line 05LB 00193-01 as stake 05LB    06396-02. The line produced a good set of ribby, extra large fruit.    Individual plants resistant to races 1 through 10 Xcv were selected    and allowed to self. Seed was collected from the individual plants.-   January, Year 4: Planted the F₅ inbred line 05LB 06396-02 as stake    06LB 02887. The line developed a medium to large sized, dark green    plant that produced jumbo-size fruit that were a little ribby and    very firm. Individual plants resistant to races 1 through 10 Xcv    were selected and allowed to self. Seed was collected from the    individual plants.-   July, Year 4: Planted the F₆ inbred line 06LB 02887-06 as stake    06LB 05027. The line developed a dark green, large plant that    produced a heavy set of very large, but rather rough and semi-soft    fruit. Individual plants resistant to races 0 through 10 Xcv were    selected and allowed to self. Seed was collected from the individual    plants.-   January, Year 6: Planted the F₇ inbred line 06LB 05027-01 as stake    08LB 00924. The line developed a medium-large plant. The plant    produced a continuous set of dark green, large blocky fruit. The    fruit consisted of a large percentage of four-lobed fruit. The line    is resistant to races 0 through 10 Xcv. The line was allowed to self    and bulked as 08LB 00924-M.-   July, Year 6: The seed of 08LB 00924-M tested resistant to TMV    pathotype P₀ and races 0 through 10 Xcv. The bulked seed was renamed    as line SBR 99-1319.

SBR 99-1319 develops a medium to large-sized plant that produces acontinuous set of dark green maturing to red, four-lobed, medium-sizedfruit. The line is resistant to the Tobacco mosaic virus pathotype P₀(Tm0; L₁ gene). It is also resistant to bacterial leaf spot races 0through 10 caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv; bs₅gene). SBR 99-1319 differs from 03LB 00372-01 because it is susceptibleto Pc while 03LB 00372-01 is resistant. SBR 99-1319 differs from 03LB01007-01 because it is susceptible to Pc and not anthocyaninless while03LB 01007-01 is resistant and anthocyaninless.

The parent lines are uniform and stable, as is a hybrid producedtherefrom. A small percentage of variants can occur within commerciallyacceptable limits for almost any characteristic during the course ofrepeated multiplication. However no variants are expected.

B. Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Pepper HybridPS09979325, Pepper Line SBR 99-1318 and Pepper Line SBR 99-1319

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a plant having the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of pepper hybrid PS09979325 and the parent linesthereof. A description of the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of such plants is presented in Tables 1-3.

TABLE 1 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of HybridPS09979325 Comparison Variety - CHARACTERISTIC PS09979325 Early CalWonder 1. Species C. annuum C. annuum 2. Maturity (in region of bestadaptability) days from transplanting until  57  67 mature green stagedays from transplanting until 127  85 mature red or yellow stage daysfrom direct seeding until  83 104 mature green stage days from directseeding until 153 122 mature red or yellow stage beginning of flowering(1^(st) early (Carré doux extra early flower on 2^(nd) flowering node)hâtif, Cupido, Fehér, Flaviano, Lito, Trophy) time of maturity late(Daniel, Doux medium d'Espagne) 3. Plant habit semi-spreading compactattitude semi-upright/semi- upright/erect erect (Clovis, Sonar) plantheight 36.5 cm  40.9 cm plant width 39.1 cm  47.1 cm length of stem fromcotyledon 15.4 cm  10.7 cm to first flower length of the third internode 101 mm   54 mm (from soil surface) length of stem long (Lipari,Marconi, medium Rouge long ordinaire) shortened internode (in upperpresent (Fehér, Kalocsai absent part) 601, Kalocsai 702) number ofinternodes between more than three the first flower and the (Kalocsai702) shortened internodes (for varieties with shortened internodes only)length of internode (on primary medium side shoots) (for varietieswithout shortened internodes only) stem: hairiness of nodes absent orvery weak absent or very weak (Arlequin) height medium (HRF) mediumbasal branches none few branch flexibility rigid (Yolo Wonder) rigidstem strength (breakage intermediate intermediate resistance) 4. Leaflength of blade long (Cupido, Dolmy, medium Encore, Mazurka, Monte)width of blade broad (California medium wonder, Golden calwonder,Seifor, Solario) width   46 mm   60 mm length   84 mm 113.3 mm petiolelength 31.6 mm   46 mm color medium green light green color (RHS ColorChart value) 137A 147A intensity of green color medium (Doux très longlight des Landes, Merit) mature leaf shape lanceolate (Diavolo, ovateRecio) leaf and stem pubescence absent absent undulation of margin veryweak absent blistering very weak weak profile in cross section flat (DeCayenne, moderately concave Recio) glossiness very weak (Diavolo) medium5. Flower peduncle: attitude erect (Fehér, Red Chili) erect flowers perleaf axil  1  1 calyx lobes  6  6 petals  3  6 diameter 30.7 mm  25.1 mmcorolla color white white corolla throat markings yellow yellow anthercolor purple purple style length same as stamen same as stamenself-incompatibility absent absent 6. Fruit group Bell (Yolo Wonder L.)Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) color (before maturity) green (California greenwonder, Lamuyo) intensity of color (before medium medium maturity)immature fruit color medium green medium green immature fruit color (RHS137B 137A Color Chart value) attitude/position drooping/pendent (Dedrooping/pendent Cayenne, Lamuyo) length short (Delphin, Petit mediumcarré doux) diameter broad (Clovis, Lamuyo) broad ratio length/diametermedium (Adra, Cherry medium Sweet, Daniel, Delphin, Edino) calyxdiameter 30.6 mm   32 mm fruit length 66.4 mm   80 mm fruit diameter atcalyx 72.6 mm   70 mm attachment fruit diameter at mid-point 75.7 mm  80 mm flesh thickness at mid-point  5.5 mm    6 mm average number offruits per  12.3  10 plant % large fruits   26 (weight range: 150  50(weight range 140 to 239 g) to 199 g) % medium fruits 54.50 (weightrange: 50 to 30 (weight range 80 to 149 g) 139 g) % small fruits 19.50(weight range: 10 to 20 (weight range 20 to 49 g) 79 g) average fruitweight 90.8 g   100 g fruit shape (longitudinal square (Delphin, Yolosquare section) Wonder) fruit shape (cross section, at circular (CherrySweet, quadrangular level of placenta) Doux très long des Landes)sinuation of pericarp at basal weak (Donat) very weak part sinuation ofpericarp excluding weak (Clovis, Sonar) very weak basal part texture ofsurface slightly wrinkled (Doux smooth or very très long des Landes)slightly wrinkled color (at maturity) red (Fehér, Lamuyo) red intensityof color (at maturity) dark dark mature fruit color red red mature fruitcolor (RHS Color N34A  46A Chart value) glossiness medium/moderatemedium/moderate (Carré doux extra hâtif, Lamuyo, Sonar) stalk cavitypresent (Bingor, absent Lamuyo) depth of stalk cavity medium (Lamuyo,Magister) pedicel length 34.2 mm   20 mm pedicel thickness  8.9 mm    6mm pedicel shape curved curved pedicel cavity present absent depth ofpedicel cavity 18.5 mm stalk: length medium (Fehér, Sonar) medium stalk:thickness thick (Lamuyo, Trophy medium palio) base shape cupped cuppedshape of apex very depressed (Kerala, very depressed Monte, Osir) shapeBell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) set scattered scattereddepth of interloculary grooves very shallow medium number of loculespredominantly four and predominantly four more (Palio, PAZ and moreszentesi) % fruits with three locules  6.60% 40% % fruits with fourlocules   60% 60% % fruits with five or more 33.40%  0% locules averagenumber of locules  4  4 thickness of flesh thick (Andevalo, thickBingor, Daniel, Topgirl) calyx: aspect non-enveloping/ non-enveloping/saucer-shaped saucer-shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) pungency sweet sweetcapsaicin in placenta absent (Sonar) absent flavor moderate pepperflavor moderate glossiness moderate shiny 7. Seed seed cavity length57.1 mm   43 mm seed cavity diameter 66.8 mm   52 mm placenta length19.6 mm   22 mm number of seeds per fruit 221 100 grams per 1000 seeds 4.9 gm  7.5 gm color yellow yellow 8. Anthocyanin seedling hypocotylweak moderate stem moderate absent node weak weak stem: intensity ofanthocyanin very weak medium coloration of nodes leaf absent absentpedicel absent absent calyx absent absent anther present (Lamuyo)present fruit coloration absent (Lamuyo) absent *These are typicalvalues. Values may vary due to environment. Other values that aresubstantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 2 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Line SBR99-1318 Comparison Variety - CHARACTERISTIC SBR 99-1318 Early CalWonder 1. Species C. annuum C. annuum 2. Maturity (in region of bestadaptability) days from transplanting until  57  67 mature green stagedays from transplanting until 110  85 mature red or yellow stage daysfrom direct seeding until  83 104 mature green stage days from directseeding until 136 122 mature red or yellow stage beginning of flowering(1^(st) early (Carré doux extra early flower on 2^(nd) flowering node)hâtif, Cupido, Fehér, Flaviano, Lito, Trophy) time of maturity medium(Lamuyo, medium Latino, Sonar) 3. Plant habit compact compact attitudeupright/erect (De upright/erect Cayenne, Doux très long des Landes,Piquant d'Algérie) plant height 33.3 cm  40.9 cm plant width 40.3 cm 47.1 cm length of stem from cotyledon 10.8 cm  10.7 cm to first flowerlength of the third internode 43.9 mm   54 mm (from soil surface) lengthof stem medium (Belsir, medium Lamuyo) shortened internode (in upperpresent (Fehér, Kalocsai absent part) 601, Kalocsai 702) number ofinternodes between one to three (Fehér) the first flower and theshortened internodes (for varieties with shortened internodes only)stem: hairiness of nodes absent or very weak absent or very weak(Arlequin) height medium (HRF) medium basal branches none few branchflexibility willowy (Cayenne Long rigid Red) stem strength (breakagestrong intermediate resistance) 4. Leaf length of blade short (DeCayenne, medium Szentesi cseresznye) width of blade broad (Californiamedium wonder, Golden calwonder, Seifor, Solario) width 69.2 mm   60 mmlength 72.5 mm 113.3 mm petiole length 42.8 mm   46 mm color mediumgreen light green color (RHS Color Chart value) 137A 147A intensity ofgreen color medium (Doux très long light des Landes, Merit) mature leafshape lanceolate (Diavolo, ovate Recio) leaf and stem pubescence absentabsent undulation of margin very weak absent blistering medium (Merit)weak profile in cross section moderately concave moderately concave(Doux italien, Favolor) glossiness medium (Alby, Eolo) medium 5. Flowerpeduncle: attitude erect (Fehér, Red Chili) erect flowers per leaf axil 1  1 calyx lobes  6  6 petals  7  6 diameter 28.3 mm  25.1 mm corollacolor white white corolla throat markings yellow yellow anther coloryellow purple style length less than stamen same as stamenself-incompatibility absent absent 6. Fruit group Bell (Yolo Wonder L.)Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) color (before maturity) green (California greenwonder, Lamuyo) intensity of color (before medium medium maturity)immature fruit color dark green medium green immature fruit color (RHS144A 137A Color Chart value) attitude/position drooping/pendent (Dedrooping/pendent Cayenne, Lamuyo) length medium (Fehér, medium Lamuyo)diameter medium (Doux italien, broad Como di toro) ratio length/diametervery small (Liebesapfel, medium PAZ szentesi, Rotopa) calyx diameter27.1 mm   32 mm fruit length 53.3 mm   80 mm fruit diameter at calyx61.8 mm   70 mm attachment fruit diameter at mid-point   64 mm   80 mmflesh thickness at mid-point  4.1 mm    6 mm average number of fruitsper  15.4  10 plant % large fruits 14 (weight range: 100 50 (weightrange 140 to 160 g) to 199 g) % medium fruits 56 (weight range: 40 to 30(weight range 80 to 99 g) 139 g) % small fruits 30 (weight range: 10 to20 (weight range 20 to 39 g) 79 g) average fruit weight 58.9 g   100 gfruit shape (longitudinal square (Delphin, Yolo square section) Wonder)fruit shape (cross section, at circular (Cherry Sweet, quadrangularlevel of placenta) Doux très long des Landes) sinuation of pericarp atbasal weak (Donat) very weak part sinuation of pericarp excluding weak(Clovis, Sonar) very weak basal part texture of surface smooth or veryslightly smooth or very wrinkled (Milord) slightly wrinkled color (atmaturity) red (Fehér, Lamuyo) red intensity of color (at maturity) darkdark mature fruit color red red mature fruit color (RHS Color N34A  46AChart value) glossiness medium/moderate medium/moderate (Cane doux extrahâtif, Lamuyo, Sonar) stalk cavity present (Bingor, absent Lamuyo) depthof stalk cavity shallow (Delphin, Doux italien, Fehér, Latino) pedicellength 28.7 mm   20 mm pedicel thickness  9.7 mm    6 mm pedicel shapecurved curved pedicel cavity present absent depth of pedicel cavity 14.6mm stalk: length long (De Cayenne, medium Sierra Nevada, Sweet Banana)stalk: thickness medium (Doux italien, medium Surpas) base shape cuppedcupped shape of apex moderately depressed very depressed (Quadratoa'Asti rosso) shape Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) setscattered scattered depth of interloculary grooves medium (Clovis,medium Lamuyo, Marconi) number of locules predominantly four andpredominantly four more (Palio, PAZ and more szentesi) % fruits withthree locules 17% 40% % fruits with four locules 73% 60% % fruits withfive or more 10%  0% locules average number of locules  4  4 thicknessof fruit medium (Fehér, thick Lamuyo) calyx: aspect non-enveloping/non-enveloping/ saucer-shaped saucer-shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) pungencysweet sweet capsaicin in placenta absent (Sonar) absent flavor mildpepper flavor moderate glossiness moderate shiny 7. Seed seed cavitylength 52.7 mm   43 mm seed cavity diameter 62.4 mm   52 mm placentalength 18.7 mm   22 mm number of seeds per fruit  64 100 grams per 1000seeds  3.5 gm  7.5 gm color yellow yellow 8. Anthocyanin seedlinghypocotyl weak moderate stem weak absent node strong (California weakwonder) stem: intensity of anthocyanin very strong (Alwin, mediumcoloration of nodes Koral, Lito, Pusztagold) leaf moderate absentpedicel weak absent calyx weak absent anther present (Lamuyo) presentfruit coloration absent (Lamuyo) absent *These are typical values.Values may vary due to environment. Other values that are substantiallyequivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 3 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Line SBR99-1319 Comparison Variety - CHARACTERISTIC SBR 99-1319 Early CalWonder 1. Species C. annuum C. annuum 2. Maturity (in region of bestadaptability) days from transplanting until  57  67 mature green stagedays from transplanting until 127  85 mature red or yellow stage daysfrom direct seeding until  83 104 mature green stage days from directseeding until 153 122 mature red or yellow stage beginning of flowering(1^(st) early (Carré doux extra early flower on 2^(nd) flowering node)hâtif, Cupido, Fehér, Flaviano, Lito, Trophy) time of maturity very late(Cancun, medium California wonder) 3. Plant habit compact compactattitude upright/erect (De upright/erect Cayenne, Doux très long desLandes, Piquant d'Algérie) plant height 35.8 cm  40.9 cm plant width17.9 cm  47.1 cm length of stem from cotyledon 13.3 cm  10.7 cm to firstflower length of the third internode 92.8 mm   54 mm (from soil surface)length of stem medium (Belsir, medium Lamuyo) shortened internode (inupper present (Fehér, Kalocsai absent part) 601, Kalocsai 702) number ofinternodes between one to three (Fehér) the first flower and theshortened internodes (for varieties with shortened internodes only)stem: hairiness of nodes absent or very weak absent or very weak(Arlequin) height short (Albaregia) medium basal branches few (2-3) fewbranch flexibility willowy (Cayenne Long rigid Red) stem strength(breakage strong intermediate resistance) 4. Leaf length of blade medium(Atol, Blondy, medium Marconi, Merit, Anthea) width of blade medium(Albaregia, medium Balaton, Danubia, Marconi, Merit) width 41.9 mm   60mm length   75 mm 113.3 mm petiole length 33.5 mm   46 mm color mediumgreen light green color (RHS Color Chart value) 144A 147A intensity ofgreen color medium (Doux très long light des Landes, Merit) mature leafshape ovate (Balico, Sonar) ovate leaf and stem pubescence absent absentundulation of margin very weak absent blistering strong (Greygo, PAZweak pallagi) profile in cross section strongly concave moderatelyconcave (Slávy) glossiness very weak (Diavolo) medium 5. Flowerpeduncle: attitude erect (Fehér, Red Chili) erect flowers per leaf axil 1  1 calyx lobes  6  6 petals  7  6 diameter 28.9 mm  25.1 mm corollacolor white white corolla throat markings yellow yellow anther coloryellow purple style length less than stamen same as stamenself-incompatibility absent absent 6. Fruit group Bell (Yolo Wonder L.)Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) color (before maturity) green (California greenwonder, Lamuyo) intensity of color (before medium medium maturity)immature fruit color medium green medium green immature fruit color (RHS137A 137A Color Chart value) attitude/position drooping/pendent (Dedrooping/pendent Cayenne, Lamuyo) length medium (Fehér, medium Lamuyo)diameter medium (Doux italien, broad Como di toro) ratio length/diametersmall (Bucano, Topgirl) medium calyx diameter 27.7 mm   32 mm fruitlength 61.1 mm   80 mm fruit diameter at calyx 72.3 mm   70 mmattachment fruit diameter at mid-point 72.5 mm   80 mm flesh thicknessat mid-point 51.5 mm    6 mm average number of fruits per  10  10 plant% large fruits 27.50 (weight range: 50 (weight range 140 140 to 199 g)to 199 g) % medium fruits 52.50 (weight range: 80 30 (weight range 80 toto 139 g) 139 g) % small fruits   20 (weight range: 20 to 20 (weightrange 20 to 79 g) 79 g) average fruit weight 84.2 g   100 g fruit shape(longitudinal square (Delphin, Yolo square section) Wonder) fruit shape(cross section, at circular (Cherry Sweet, quadrangular level ofplacenta) Doux très long des Landes) sinuation of pericarp at basal weak(Donat) very weak part sinuation of pericarp excluding weak (Clovis,Sonar) very weak basal part texture of surface slightly wrinkled (Douxsmooth or very très long des Landes) slightly wrinkled color (atmaturity) red (Fehér, Lamuyo) red intensity of color (at maturity) darkdark mature fruit color red red mature fruit color (RHS Color N34A  46AChart value) glossiness medium/moderate medium/moderate (Carré douxextra hâtif, Lamuyo, Sonar) stalk cavity present (Bingor, absent Lamuyo)depth of stalk cavity deep (Osir, Quadrato d'Asti rosso, Surpas) pedicellength 39.9 mm   20 mm pedicel thickness  9.5 mm    6 mm pedicel shapecurved curved pedicel cavity present absent depth of pedicel cavity 14.9mm stalk: length long (De Cayenne, medium Sierra Nevada, Sweet Banana)stalk: thickness thick (Lamuyo, Trophy medium palio) base shape roundedcupped shape of apex moderately depressed very depressed (Quadratoa'Asti rosso) shape Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) setscattered scattered depth of interloculary grooves shallow (Milord,medium Topgirl) number of locules predominantly four and predominantlyfour more (Palio, PAZ and more szentesi) % fruits with three locules 3.30% 40% % fruits with four locules 73.30% 60% % fruits with five ormore 23.40%  0% locules average number of locules  4  4 thickness offlesh thin (Banán, Carré doux thick extra hâtif, Dous très long desLandes) calyx: aspect non-enveloping/ non-enveloping/ saucer-shapedsaucer-shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) pungency sweet sweet capsaicin in placentaabsent (Sonar) absent flavor mild pepper flavor moderate glossinessmoderate shiny 7. Seed seed cavity length 49.4 mm   43 mm seed cavitydiameter   59 mm   52 mm placenta length   16 mm   22 mm number of seedsper fruit  67 100 grams per 1000 seeds  2.6 gm  7.5 gm color yellowyellow 8. Anthocyanin seedling hypocotyl absent (Albaregia, moderateAlbena) stem absent absent node moderate weak stem: intensity ofanthocyanin medium (Clovis, medium coloration of nodes Lamuyo, Sonar)leaf absent absent pedicel absent absent calyx absent absent antherabsent (Danza) present fruit coloration absent (Lamuyo) absent *Theseare typical values. Values may vary due to environment. Other valuesthat are substantially equivalent are also within the scope of theinvention.

C. Breeding Pepper Plants

One aspect of the current invention concerns methods for producing seedof pepper hybrid PS09979325 involving crossing pepper lines SBR 99-1318and SBR 99-1319. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the invention,hybrid PS09979325, line SBR 99-1318, or line SBR 99-1319 may be crossedwith itself or with any second plant. Such methods can be used forpropagation of hybrid PS09979325 and/or the pepper lines SBR 99-1318 andSBR 99-1319, or can be used to produce plants that are derived fromhybrid PS09979325 and/or the pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319.Plants derived from hybrid PS09979325 and/or the pepper lines SBR99-1318 and SBR 99-1319 may be used, in certain embodiments, for thedevelopment of new pepper varieties.

The development of new varieties using one or more starting varieties iswell known in the art. In accordance with the invention, novel varietiesmay be created by crossing hybrid PS09979325 followed by multiplegenerations of breeding according to such well known methods. Newvarieties may be created by crossing with any second plant. In selectingsuch a second plant to cross for the purpose of developing novel lines,it may be desired to choose those plants which either themselves exhibitone or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit thedesired characteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Once initialcrosses have been made, inbreeding and selection take place to producenew varieties. For development of a uniform line, often five or moregenerations of selfing and selection are involved.

Uniform lines of new varieties may also be developed by way ofdouble-haploids. This technique allows the creation of true breedinglines without the need for multiple generations of selfing andselection. In this manner true breeding lines can be produced in aslittle as one generation. Haploid embryos may be produced frommicrospores, pollen, anther cultures, or ovary cultures. The haploidembryos may then be doubled autonomously, or by chemical treatments(e.g. colchicine treatment). Alternatively, haploid embryos may be growninto haploid plants and treated to induce chromosome doubling. In eithercase, fertile homozygous plants are obtained. In accordance with theinvention, any of such techniques may be used in connection with a plantof the invention and progeny thereof to achieve a homozygous line.

Backcrossing can also be used to improve an inbred plant. Backcrossingtransfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or non-inbredsource to an inbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished, forexample, by first crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to adonor inbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate locusor loci for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross are thenmated back to the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection inthe resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from thenon-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations withselection for the desired trait, the progeny have the characteristicbeing transferred, but are like the superior parent for most or almostall other loci. The last backcross generation would be selfed to givepure breeding progeny for the trait being transferred.

The plants of the present invention are particularly well suited for thedevelopment of new lines based on the elite nature of the geneticbackground of the plants. In selecting a second plant to cross withPS09979325 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319 for thepurpose of developing novel pepper lines, it will typically be preferredto choose those plants which either themselves exhibit one or moreselected desirable characteristics or which exhibit the desiredcharacteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Examples of desirabletraits may include, in specific embodiments, high seed yield, high seedgermination, seedling vigor, high fruit yield, disease tolerance orresistance, and adaptability for soil and climate conditions.Consumer-driven traits, such as a fruit shape, color, texture, and tasteare other examples of traits that may be incorporated into new lines ofpepper plants developed by this invention.

D. Performance Characteristics

As described above, hybrid PS09979325 exhibits desirable traits, asconferred by pepper lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR 99-1319. The performancecharacteristics of hybrid PS09979325 and pepper lines SBR 99-1318 andSBR 99-1319 were the subject of an objective analysis of the performancetraits relative to other varieties. The results of the analysis arepresented below.

TABLE 4 Performance Characteristics for Hybrid PS09979325 Xcv RacesModerate Xcv Races Xcv Races 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Phytophthora 0, 1,2, 3, 7, 8 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 TSWV TMV (Po) capsici antho-Fruit color at source resistance 8, 9 resistance resistance resistanceresistance resistance cyaninless green harvest PS09979325 Monsanto yesyes yes no yes no no dark PS09954288 Monsanto yes yes yes yes yes no yesmedium PS09942815 Monsanto yes yes yes yes yes no yes medium- dark9928302 Monsanto yes yes no no yes no yes medium- dark AristotleMonsanto yes no no no yes yes yes medium Hunter Syngenta yes yes no noyes no no dark Tomcat Syngenta yes yes no no yes no no medium- dark

TABLE 5 Performance Characteristics for Lines SBR 99-1318 and SBR99-1319 and a Comparison Variety Resistance to bs₅ Resistance to L₁races 0-10 of Xcv gene Tm0 gene SBR 99-1318 Resistant Present ResistantPresent SBR 99-1319 Resistant Present Resistant Present Early CaliforniaSusceptible Absent Susceptible Absent Wonder

E. Further Embodiments of the Invention

In certain aspects of the invention, plants described herein areprovided modified to include at least a first desired heritable trait.Such plants may, in one embodiment, be developed by a plant breedingtechnique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to a genetic locus transferred into the plant viathe backcrossing technique. The term single locus converted plant asused herein refers to those pepper plants which are developed by a plantbreeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to the single locus transferred into the varietyvia the backcrossing technique. By essentially all of the morphologicaland physiological characteristics, it is meant that the characteristicsof a plant are recovered that are otherwise present when compared in thesame environment, other than an occasional variant trait that mightarise during backcrossing or direct introduction of a transgene.

Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improveor introduce a characteristic into the present variety. The parentalpepper plant which contributes the locus for the desired characteristicis termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. This terminology refers tothe fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used one time in the backcrossprotocol and therefore does not recur. The parental pepper plant towhich the locus or loci from the nonrecurrent parent are transferred isknown as the recurrent parent as it is used for several rounds in thebackcrossing protocol.

In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest(recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent)that carries the single locus of interest to be transferred. Theresulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to therecurrent parent and the process is repeated until a pepper plant isobtained wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered in the convertedplant, in addition to the single transferred locus from the nonrecurrentparent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for asuccessful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol isto alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the originalvariety. To accomplish this, a single locus of the recurrent variety ismodified or substituted with the desired locus from the nonrecurrentparent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desiredgenetic, and therefore the desired physiological and morphologicalconstitution of the original variety. The choice of the particularnonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one ofthe major purposes is to add some commercially desirable trait to theplant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristicor trait being altered and the genetic distance between the recurrentand nonrecurrent parents. Although backcrossing methods are simplifiedwhen the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, arecessive allele, or an additive allele (between recessive anddominant), may also be transferred. In this instance it may be necessaryto introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desiredcharacteristic has been successfully transferred.

In one embodiment, progeny pepper plants of a backcross in which a plantdescribed herein is the recurrent parent comprise (i) the desired traitfrom the non-recurrent parent and (ii) all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of pepper the recurrent parent asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown in the sameenvironmental conditions.

New varieties can also be developed from more than two parents. Thetechnique, known as modified backcrossing, uses different recurrentparents during the backcrossing. Modified backcrossing may be used toreplace the original recurrent parent with a variety having certain moredesirable characteristics or multiple parents may be used to obtaindifferent desirable characteristics from each.

Many single locus traits have been identified that are not regularlyselected for in the development of a new inbred but that can be improvedby backcrossing techniques. Single locus traits may or may not betransgenic; examples of these traits include, but are not limited to,herbicide resistance, resistance to bacterial, fungal, or viral disease,insect resistance, modified fatty acid or carbohydrate metabolism, andaltered nutritional quality. These comprise genes generally inheritedthrough the nucleus.

Direct selection may be applied where the single locus acts as adominant trait. For this selection process, the progeny of the initialcross are assayed for viral resistance and/or the presence of thecorresponding gene prior to the backcrossing. Selection eliminates anyplants that do not have the desired gene and resistance trait, and onlythose plants that have the trait are used in the subsequent backcross.This process is then repeated for all additional backcross generations.

Selection of pepper plants for breeding is not necessarily dependent onthe phenotype of a plant and instead can be based on geneticinvestigations. For example, one can utilize a suitable genetic markerwhich is closely genetically linked to a trait of interest. One of thesemarkers can be used to identify the presence or absence of a trait inthe offspring of a particular cross, and can be used in selection ofprogeny for continued breeding. This technique is commonly referred toas marker assisted selection. Any other type of genetic marker or otherassay which is able to identify the relative presence or absence of atrait of interest in a plant can also be useful for breeding purposes.Procedures for marker assisted selection are well known in the art. Suchmethods will be of particular utility in the case of recessive traitsand variable phenotypes, or where conventional assays may be moreexpensive, time consuming or otherwise disadvantageous. Types of geneticmarkers which could be used in accordance with the invention include,but are not necessarily limited to, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms(SSLPs) (Williams et al., 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs(RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence CharacterizedAmplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction(AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858,specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), andSingle Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., 1998).

F. Plants Derived by Genetic Engineering

Many useful traits that can be introduced by backcrossing, as well asdirectly into a plant, are those which are introduced by genetictransformation techniques. Genetic transformation may therefore be usedto insert a selected transgene into a plant of the invention or may,alternatively, be used for the preparation of transgenes which can beintroduced by backcrossing. Methods for the transformation of plantsthat are well known to those of skill in the art and applicable to manycrop species include, but are not limited to, electroporation,microprojectile bombardment, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation anddirect DNA uptake by protoplasts.

To effect transformation by electroporation, one may employ eitherfriable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or embryogeniccallus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or otherorganized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partiallydegrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them topectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wound tissues ina controlled manner.

An efficient method for delivering transforming DNA segments to plantcells is microprojectile bombardment. In this method, particles arecoated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propellingforce. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten,platinum, and preferably, gold. For the bombardment, cells in suspensionare concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively,immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culturemedium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriatedistance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into plantcells by acceleration is the Biolistics Particle Delivery System, whichcan be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through ascreen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a surfacecovered with target cells. The screen disperses the particles so thatthey are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates.Microprojectile bombardment techniques are widely applicable, and may beused to transform virtually any plant species.

Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is another widely applicable system forintroducing gene loci into plant cells. An advantage of the technique isthat DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassingthe need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast. ModernAgrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in E.coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient manipulations(Klee et al., 1985). Moreover, recent technological advances in vectorsfor Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer have improved the arrangementof genes and restriction sites in the vectors to facilitate theconstruction of vectors capable of expressing various polypeptide codinggenes. The vectors described have convenient multi-linker regionsflanked by a promoter and a polyadenylation site for direct expressionof inserted polypeptide coding genes. Additionally, Agrobacteriumcontaining both armed and disarmed Ti genes can be used fortransformation.

In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation isefficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and definednature of the gene locus transfer. The use of Agrobacterium-mediatedplant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is wellknown in the art (Fraley et al., 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055).

Transformation of plant protoplasts also can be achieved using methodsbased on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment,electroporation, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g.,Potrykus et al., 1985; Omirulleh et al., 1993; Fromm et al., 1986;Uchimiya et al., 1986; Marcotte et al., 1988). Transformation of plantsand expression of foreign genetic elements is exemplified in Choi et al.(1994), and Ellul et al. (2003).

A number of promoters have utility for plant gene expression for anygene of interest including but not limited to selectable markers,scoreable markers, genes for pest tolerance, disease resistance,nutritional enhancements and any other gene of agronomic interest.Examples of constitutive promoters useful for plant gene expressioninclude, but are not limited to, the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV)P-35S promoter, which confers constitutive, high-level expression inmost plant tissues (see, e.g., Odel et al., 1985), including in monocots(see, e.g., Dekeyser et al., 1990; Terada and Shimamoto, 1990); atandemly duplicated version of the CaMV 35S promoter, the enhanced 35Spromoter (P-e35S);1 the nopaline synthase promoter (An et al., 1988);the octopine synthase promoter (Fromm et al., 1989); and the figwortmosaic virus (P-FMV) promoter as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619and an enhanced version of the FMV promoter (P-eFMV) where the promotersequence of P-FMV is duplicated in tandem; the cauliflower mosaic virus19S promoter; a sugarcane bacilliform virus promoter; a commelina yellowmottle virus promoter; and other plant DNA virus promoters known toexpress in plant cells.

A variety of plant gene promoters that are regulated in response toenvironmental, hormonal, chemical, and/or developmental signals can alsobe used for expression of an operably linked gene in plant cells,including promoters regulated by (1) heat (Callis et al., 1988), (2)light (e.g., pea rbcS-3A promoter, Kuhlemeier et al., 1989; maize rbcSpromoter, Schaffner and Sheen, 1991; or chlorophyll a/b-binding proteinpromoter, Simpson et al., 1985), (3) hormones, such as abscisic acid(Marcotte et al., 1989), (4) wounding (e.g., wunl, Siebertz et al.,1989); or (5) chemicals such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, orSafener. It may also be advantageous to employ organ-specific promoters(e.g., Roshal et al., 1987; Schernthaner et al., 1988; Bustos et al.,1989).

Exemplary nucleic acids which may be introduced to plants of thisinvention include, for example, DNA sequences or genes from anotherspecies, or even genes or sequences which originate with or are presentin the same species, but are incorporated into recipient cells bygenetic engineering methods rather than classical reproduction orbreeding techniques. However, the term “exogenous” is also intended torefer to genes that are not normally present in the cell beingtransformed, or perhaps simply not present in the form, structure, etc.,as found in the transforming DNA segment or gene, or genes which arenormally present and that one desires to express in a manner thatdiffers from the natural expression pattern, e.g., to over-express.Thus, the term “exogenous” gene or DNA is intended to refer to any geneor DNA segment that is introduced into a recipient cell, regardless ofwhether a similar gene may already be present in such a cell. The typeof DNA included in the exogenous DNA can include DNA which is alreadypresent in the plant cell, DNA from another plant, DNA from a differentorganism, or a DNA generated externally, such as a DNA sequencecontaining an antisense message of a gene, or a DNA sequence encoding asynthetic or modified version of a gene.

Many hundreds if not thousands of different genes are known and couldpotentially be introduced into a pepper plant according to theinvention. Non-limiting examples of particular genes and correspondingphenotypes one may choose to introduce into a pepper plant include oneor more genes for insect tolerance, such as a Bacillus thuringiensis(B.t.) gene, pest tolerance such as genes for fungal disease control,herbicide tolerance such as genes conferring glyphosate tolerance, andgenes for quality improvements such as yield, nutritional enhancements,environmental or stress tolerances, or any desirable changes in plantphysiology, growth, development, morphology or plant product(s). Forexample, structural genes would include any gene that confers insecttolerance including but not limited to a Bacillus insect control proteingene as described in WO 99/31248, herein incorporated by reference inits entirety, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052, herein incorporated by referencein its entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,365 and 5,880,275, hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety. In another embodiment, thestructural gene can confer tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate asconferred by genes including, but not limited to Agrobacterium strainCP4 glyphosate resistant EPSPS gene (aroA:CP4) as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,633,435, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, orglyphosate oxidoreductase gene (GOX) as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,463,175, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, the DNA coding sequences can affect these phenotypes byencoding a non-translatable RNA molecule that causes the targetedinhibition of expression of an endogenous gene, for example viaantisense- or cosuppression-mediated mechanisms (see, for example, Birdet al., 1991). The RNA could also be a catalytic RNA molecule (i.e., aribozyme) engineered to cleave a desired endogenous mRNA product (seefor example, Gibson and Shillito, 1997). Thus, any gene which produces aprotein or mRNA which expresses a phenotype or morphology change ofinterest is useful for the practice of the present invention.

G. Definitions

In the description and tables herein, a number of terms are used. Inorder to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

Allele: Any of one or more alternative forms of a gene locus, all ofwhich alleles relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cellor organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding locion a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Backcrossing: A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybridprogeny, for example a first generation hybrid (F₁), back to one of theparents of the hybrid progeny. Backcrossing can be used to introduce oneor more single locus conversions from one genetic background intoanother.

Crossing: The mating of two parent plants.

Cross-pollination: Fertilization by the union of two gametes fromdifferent plants.

Diploid: A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes.

Emasculate: The removal of plant male sex organs or the inactivation ofthe organs with a cytoplasmic or nuclear genetic factor or a chemicalagent conferring male sterility.

Enzymes: Molecules which can act as catalysts in biological reactions.

F₁ Hybrid: The first generation progeny of the cross of two nonisogenicplants.

Genotype: The genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Haploid: A cell or organism having one set of the two sets ofchromosomes in a diploid.

Linkage: A phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend tosegregate together more often than expected by chance if theirtransmission was independent.

Marker: A readily detectable phenotype, preferably inherited incodominant fashion (both alleles at a locus in a diploid heterozygoteare readily detectable), with no environmental variance component, i.e.,heritability of 1.

Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism, whichcharacteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL): Quantitative trait loci (QTL) refer togenetic loci that control to some degree numerically representabletraits that are usually continuously distributed.

Resistance: As used herein, the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” areused interchangeably to describe plants that show no symptoms to aspecified biotic pest, pathogen, abiotic influence or environmentalcondition. These terms are also used to describe plants showing somesymptoms but that are still able to produce marketable product with anacceptable yield. Some plants that are referred to as resistant ortolerant are only so in the sense that they may still produce a crop,even though the plants are stunted and the yield is reduced.

Regeneration: The development of a plant from tissue culture.

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) color chart value: The RHS color chartis a standardized reference which allows accurate identification of anycolor. A color's designation on the chart describes its hue, brightnessand saturation. A color is precisely named by the RHS color chart byidentifying the group name, sheet number and letter, e.g., Yellow-OrangeGroup 19A or Red Group 41B.

Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigmaof the same plant.

Single Locus Converted (Conversion) Plant: Plants which are developed bya plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially allof the morphological and physiological characteristics of a peppervariety are recovered in addition to the characteristics of the singlelocus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique and/orby genetic transformation.

Substantially Equivalent: A characteristic that, when compared, does notshow a statistically significant difference (e.g., p=0.05) from themean.

Tissue Culture: A composition comprising isolated cells of the same or adifferent type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of aplant.

Transgene: A genetic locus comprising a sequence which has beenintroduced into the genome of a pepper plant by transformation.

H. Deposit Information

A deposit of pepper hybrid PS09979325 and inbred parent lines SBR99-1318 and SBR 99-1319, disclosed above and recited in the claims, hasbeen made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The date of each of thedeposits was Dec. 1, 2010. The accession numbers for those depositedseeds of pepper hybrid PS09979325 and inbred parent lines SBR 99-1318and SBR 99-1319 are ATCC Accession No. PTA-11512, ATCC Accession No.PTA-11516, and ATCC Accession No. PTA-11513, respectively. Upon issuanceof a patent, all restrictions upon the deposits will be removed, and thedeposits are intended to meet all of the requirements of 37 C.F.R.§1.801-1.809. The deposits will be maintained in the depository for aperiod of 30 years, or 5 years after the last request, or for theeffective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replacedif necessary during that period.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

REFERENCES

The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplaryprocedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, arespecifically incorporated herein by reference:

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1. A pepper plant comprising at least a first set of the chromosomes ofpepper line SBR 99-1318 or pepper line SBR 99-1319, a sample of seed ofsaid lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11516,and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11513, respectively.
 2. A seed comprisingat least a first set of the chromosomes of pepper line SBR 99-1318 orpepper line SBR 99-1319, a sample of seed of said lines having beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11516, and ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-11513, respectively.
 3. The plant of claim 1, which isinbred.
 4. The plant of claim 1, which is hybrid.
 5. The plant of claim4, wherein the hybrid plant is pepper hybrid PS09979325, a sample ofseed of said hybrid PS09979325 having been deposited under ATCCAccession Number PTA-11512.
 6. The plant of claim 1, wherein the plantis a plant of line SBR 99-1318 or line SBR 99-1319.
 7. A plant part ofthe plant of claim
 1. 8. The plant part of claim 7, further defined as aleaf, a ovule, pollen, a fruit, or a cell.
 9. A pepper plant having allthe physiological and morphological characteristics of the pepper plantof claim
 5. 10. A pepper plant having all the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the pepper plant of claim
 6. 11. Atissue culture of regenerable cells of the plant of claim
 1. 12. Thetissue culture according to claim 11, comprising cells or protoplastsfrom a plant part selected from the group consisting of embryos,meristems, cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips,pistil, flower, seed and stalks.
 13. A pepper plant regenerated from thetissue culture of claim
 12. 14. A method of vegetatively propagating theplant of claim 1 comprising the steps of: (a) collecting tissue capableof being propagated from a plant according to claim 1; (b) cultivatingsaid tissue to obtain proliferated shoots; and (c) rooting saidproliferated shoots to obtain rooted plantlets.
 15. The method of claim14, further comprising growing at least a first plant from said rootedplantlets.
 16. A method of introducing a desired trait into a pepperline comprising: (a) crossing a plant of line SBR 99-1318 or SBR 99-1319with a second pepper plant that comprises a desired trait to produce F1progeny, a sample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCCAccession Number PTA-11516, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11513,respectively; (b) selecting an F1 progeny that comprises the desiredtrait; (c) backcrossing the selected F1 progeny with a plant of line SBR99-1318 or SBR 99-1319 to produce backcross progeny; (d) selectingbackcross progeny comprising the desired trait and the physiological andmorphological characteristic of pepper line SBR 99-1318 or SBR 99-1319;and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) three or more times to produceselected fourth or higher backcross progeny that comprise the desiredtrait.
 17. A pepper plant produced by the method of claim
 16. 18. Amethod of producing a plant comprising an added trait, the methodcomprising introducing a transgene conferring the trait into a plant ofhybrid PS09979325, line SBR 99-1318 or line SBR 99-1319, a sample ofseed of said hybrid and lines having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-11512, ATCC Accession Number PTA-11516, and ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-11513, respectively.
 19. A plant produced by the method ofclaim
 18. 20. The plant of claim 1, comprising a transgene.
 21. Theplant of claim 20, wherein the transgene confers a trait selected fromthe group consisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insectresistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acidmetabolism, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydratemetabolism and modified protein metabolism.
 22. The plant of claim 1,comprising a single locus conversion.
 23. The plant of claim 22, whereinthe single locus conversion confers a trait selected from the groupconsisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance,pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism,environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism andmodified protein metabolism.
 24. A method for producing a seed of aplant derived from at least one of hybrid PS09979325, line SBR 99-1318or line SBR 99-1319 comprising the steps of: (a) crossing a pepper plantof hybrid PS09979325, line SBR 99-1318 or line SBR 99-1319 with itselfor a second pepper plant; a sample of seed of said hybrid and lineshaving been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11512, ATCCAccession Number PTA-11516, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11513,respectively; and (b) allowing seed of a hybrid PS09979325, line SBR99-1318 or line SBR 99-1319-derived pepper plant to form.
 25. The methodof claim 24, further comprising the steps of: (c) selfing a plant grownfrom said hybrid PS09979325, SBR 99-1318 or SBR 99-1319-derived pepperseed to yield additional hybrid PS09979325, line SBR 99-1318 or line SBR99-1319-derived pepper seed; (d) growing said additional hybridPS09979325, line SBR 99-1318 or line SBR 99-1319-derived pepper seed ofstep (c) to yield additional hybrid PS09979325, line SBR 99-1318 or lineSBR 99-1319-derived pepper plants; and (e) repeating the crossing andgrowing steps of (c) and (d) to generate at least a first further hybridPS09979325, line SBR 99-1318 or line SBR 99-1319-derived pepper plant.26. The method of claim 24, wherein the second pepper plant is of aninbred pepper line.
 27. The method of claim 24, comprising crossing lineSBR 99-1318 with line SBR 99-1319, a sample of seed of said lines havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11516, and ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-11513, respectively.
 28. The method of claim 25, furthercomprising: (f) crossing the further hybrid PS09979325, SBR 99-1318 orSBR 99-1319-derived pepper plant with a second pepper plant to produceseed of a hybrid progeny plant.
 29. A hybrid seed produced by the methodof claim
 27. 30. A plant produced by growing the seed of claim
 27. 31. Aplant part of the plant of claim
 30. 32. The plant part of claim 31,further defined as a leaf, a flower, a fruit, an ovule, pollen, or acell.
 33. A method of producing a pepper seed comprising crossing theplant of claim 1 with itself or a second pepper plant and allowing seedto form.
 34. A method of producing a pepper fruit comprising: (a)obtaining a plant according to claim 1, wherein the plant has beencultivated to maturity; and (b) collecting a pepper from the plant.